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29 March 2024

Chocoholic Dubai kid calls abuse hotline on dad

Youth and Women's Division in Community Development Authority report cases of children calling in for chocolates and TV. (Shutterstock)

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By Staff

This is exactly what Mohammed [not his real name] did when his father refused to buy him chocolates, according to Boshra Qaid, Head of Children, Youth and Women's Division in Community Development Authority, as reported by 'Al Royya' newspaper.

Mohammed knew the number of the child abuse hotline and used it to report his family.

Another case was of Abdul [not his real name]. The boy was unhappy that his parents would not let him watch television. He called the hotline to ask the authorities to force his parents to let him watch TV, Qaid added.

“We are trying to address educational institutions like schools in first place, about the importance of teaching children to know the difference between children’s rights and duties,” she added.

In the cases above, the educational units have to pay attention and teach the children what is right and what is not.

“Teachers have the responsibility of building the behavioral and educational aspects of the child, and I assure you that neglecting a child is a crime that law, community, and Sharia punish for,” said Qaid.

The child abuse hotline team works 24 hours during the week. They go to the source of the complaint once they receive a call from a victim, and depending on the case, they interfere immediately, especially if the case is dangerous. In average risk cases, it takes 24 hours to interfere, and on the non-risky cases it usually takes three days.

If the case is outside Dubai, CDA calls the concerned authorities to take action, and follow up with them.

Media has a big role in educating children, apart from the parents' role in shaping up the lives of their children.

“We should always remind teachers that children can always get abused, and they should act as the saviour,” said Qaid.